This holiday is also known as Candlemas, or Brigid's (pronounced BREED) Day. One of the 4 Celtic "Fire Festivals. Commemorates the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden. Celebrates the first signs of Spring. Also called "Imbolc" (the old Celtic name).

This is the seasonal change where the first signs of spring and the return of the sun are noted, i.e. the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting of the Crocus flowers etc. In other words, it is the festival commemorating the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year. This Festival also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden.

In ancient Rome, the Parentalia or dies parentales ("ancestral days") was a nine-day festival held in honor of family ancestors, beginning February 13.

13/02 - 15/02 - Lupercalia, in honour of Faunus

Lupercalia, in honour of Faunus

February 13 to 15

Lupercalia was a very ancient, possibly pre-Roman pastoral festival, observed on February 13 through 15 to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility.

17/02 - Quirinalia, in honour of Quirinus

Quirinalia, in honour of Quirinus

February 17

In Roman mythology, Quirinus was an early god of the Roman state. In Augustan Rome, Quirinus was also an epithet of Janus, as Janus Quirinus. His name is derived from the word quiris meaning "spear."

21/02 - Feralia

Feralia

February 21

Feralia was an ancient Roman public festival celebrating the Manes (Roman spirits of the dead, particularly the souls of deceased individuals).

This day marked the end of Parentalia, a nine day festival honoring the dead ancestors. Roman citizens were instructed to bring offerings to the tombs of their dead ancestors which consisted of at least "an arrangement of wreathes, a sprinkling of grain and a bit of salt, bread soaked in wine and violets scattered about."

23/02 - Terminalia, in honour of Terminus

Terminalia, in honour of Terminus

February 23

In Roman religion, Terminus was the god who protected boundary markers; his name was the Latin word for such a marker. Sacrifices were performed to sanctify each boundary stone, and landowners celebrated a festival called the "Terminalia" in Terminus' honor each year.

27/02 - First Equirria

First Equirria

February 27

The Equirria (Festival of Mars) were holy days with religious and military significance at either end of the new year celebrations for Mars. Priests performed rites purifying the army. Celebrants held horse races on the Campus Martius (field of Mars).